A man was seriously injured after falling at least 1,000 feet on Wilson Peak outside of Telluride on Thursday, April 24, 2014. (Credit: San Miguel County Sheriff's Office)

TELLURIDE, Colo. — A man was seriously injured after falling at least 1,000 feet while skiing on Wilson Peak outside of Telluride on Thursday, the San Miguel County Sheriff’s Office said.

The sheriff’s office said the man, who was rescued by search and rescue crews, was reportedly on a steep slope on the north-facing couloir at about 12,500 feet with two others when he fell.

“Once we safely got rescue personnel on the ground and made patient contact, we confirmed that we would need to package and transport the patient to a more secure landing zone,” Sheriff Bill Masters said.

Two contracted helicopters were activated and were “essential” in the four-hour rescue, Masters said.

The skier was transported to Telluride Regional Airport where Flight Medics treated him, then he was flown to St. Mary’s Hospital in Grand Junction.

The man was not identified and his condition was not released by the sheriff’s office